Kochi, August 21: The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed the sentencing of four individuals, including social activist M. Geethanandan. The court has also mandated that each of them deposit 36,000 rupees. This case is linked to the Muthanga land dispute from 2003.
Justice A. Badaruddeen’s court issued the stay after the convicted individuals filed a petition against the sentencing. However, this stay is provisional, with a detailed hearing scheduled for the future.
Previously, the High Court expressed concern over the method of recording conclusions by the Wayanad Sessions Court. The court suggested that a review of the verdict is necessary, indicating clear flaws in the trial court’s findings.
Among the appellants are Geethanandan, Beenu, Ramesan, and Anil Kumar, part of a group of 57 individuals charged in connection with the violence that erupted during the Muthanga land struggle.
On July 31, 2026, the Wayanad District Principal Sessions Court convicted four accused on multiple counts, including unlawful assembly, rioting, wrongful confinement, intentional injury, and even attempted murder.
The court sentenced these individuals to five years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of 36,000 rupees.
During the prosecution, various allegations were made, including an attempt to murder senior civil police officer Abdul Salam and an attempt to abduct Forest Range Officer P.K. Sasidharan.
The Muthanga violence occurred on February 19, 2023, when police initiated action to remove protesting tribal individuals who had occupied land within the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary under the banner of the Tribal Mahasabha.
This operation escalated into violence, reportedly leading police to fire 18 rounds. Two protesters were killed, and the death toll later rose. Additionally, police constable K.V. Vinod also lost his life during the clashes.
The Muthanga movement began under the leadership of tribal activist C.K. Janu, who demanded land rights for the tribal community. This incident has since become one of the most violent tribal struggles in Kerala’s history.
With the High Court’s stay on sentencing, the case will undergo judicial review once again. The fate of the four appellants will be determined after a comprehensive hearing.
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